Heating device



jun 1930- 'J. c. HARRIS EI'AL 1,763,516

HEATING DEVICE Filed May 16, 1929 Patented June 10, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFHCE JOHN CHAR-LES HARRIS AND JAMES WOOD, OF OTIAKE, NEW ZEALAND HEATING DEVICE Application filed May 16, 1929, Serial No. 363,534, and in New Zealand November 2, 1928.

This invention relates to the protection of orchards, crops and the like from the action of frost by means of artificial heating, and has for its object the provision of improved means for the aforesaid purpose, suitable for use either outdoors or indoors, and by means of which liquid fuel can be utilized.

The invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the im proved heater, and

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation thereof.

According to the invention the heater, which is formed of porous material, such as limestone, fire clay or the like, is formed in two portions 1 and 2 adapted to be superimposed one upon the other. Each portion of the heater is of suitable height and may be of any desired shape in plan, such as round, rectangular or the like.

Cup like depressions or hollows 1A and 2A are formed to a suitable depth in each of the heater sections 1 and 2 opening through the upper ends of the latter, the cup shaped depression or hollow 2A in the lower heater section 2 being when in operation, closed by means of the base of the upper heater section 1, which is super-imposed thereon. The depression or cup 2A in the lower heater section 2 is adapted to be filled with kerosene or the like inflammable oil, which owing to the porous nature of the material from which the heater is formed, soaks into the pores thereof and penetrates completely therethrough. The kerosene is then ignited so as to burn upon the outside of the said lower heater section 2, the upper heater section 1 having been placed in position so as to close or seal the open upper end of the cup like depression or hollow 2A in said lower heater section, while the hollow or depression 1A in the upper section 1 has been filled with a heavy oil, such as crude oil or the like heavy fuel oil. For this purpose discarded lubricating oil from the crank shaft sumps of automobiles or internal combustion engines, generally is found to be specially suitable, containing as it does a certain proportion of petrol or benzine, which renders it more combustible.

The heat generated by the burning kerosene or the like in the lower heater section 2 causes the temperature of the heavy oil in the upper heater section to be raised to a degree where it becomes sufficiently fluid to penetrate into the pores of the said upper heater section and pass therethrough to the outside thereof, upon reaching which it will have attained a temperature at which it will be readily combustible and will produce heat and smoke sufficient to counteract the effect of frost in its vicinity.

When used in conjunction with orchards or other crops, a sufficient number of heaters constructed according to this invention are disposed throughout the orchard or crop,

and are ignited as hereinbefore described,

with the result that the heat or smoke pro duced by them will maintain the temperature of the surrounding air at a point slightly above freezing point, and so prevent the fruit or crop from being damaged by the action of frost.

If desired a suitable metal or the like cover 3 can be provided for the device when not in use, and the heater can be mounted on a suitable reinforced frame and base 4 and convenient means 5 provided whereby it can be lifted and easily transported from place to place as desired.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A heater for the purpose specified, comprising a pair of superimposed porous noninflammable portions, each having a cup-like depression in its upper surface, the cavity or depression in the lower heater portion; being closable by means of the bottom or base of the upper heater portion superi1nposed thereon.

2. A heater for the purpose specified, according to claim 1, wherein the lower heater portion is provided with a reinforced frame and base and with handles whereby the heater is lifted and transported.

3. A heater for the purpose specified, acq cording to claim 1, wherein the cavity or de-' pressionin the upper heater portion is closable by means of a metal cover when the heater is not in use.

In testimony whereof we have aifixed our signatures.

JOHN CHARLES HARRIS. JAMES WOOD. 

